the network monarchy — above all,Prem — to pursue their own agenda.As his marriage
collapsed, Bhumibol appears to have begun seriously considering abdication. He shocked the
nation on his 59th birthday in December 1986 by hinting that he would soon step aside to make
way for Vajiralongkorn to rule Tha iland but Vajiralongkorn disastrous visit to Japan in 1987 and
the embarrassment he made, gave the king no choice but to stay in power.